CORONAVIRUS antibody tests have been administered at random by Public Health England and found only five percent of Britons have had the disease.

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Former chairman of the BMA GP’s Committee Dr Laurence Buckman explained the startling the results that only four percent of the population in England have had coronavirus means the country is nowhere near herd immunity. Host Julia Hartley-Brewer asked him: "These random antibody tests have been carried out across England, not the UK by PHE and they've worked out 17 percent of people in London have had the disease. Five percent of the rest of England, a vast majority have not shown any symptoms or mild symptoms. It's almost four million, is that enough for herd immunity?"

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Speaking to talkRADIO, Mr Buckman said: "You need about 80 percent of the population to have had it or to be immune to it to get herd immunity.

"It might be too difficult once the vaccine is rolled out assuming it's safe and reliable.

"It produces true immunity and not just an antibody rise.

"Assuming it does produce true immunity, it won't take long to get to 80 percent because I bet most people will have the vaccine is they do not have this thing already.

Only four percent of the population in England have had coronavirus (Image: GETTY)

An expert has said 80 percent of the population need to have had the virus (Image: GETTY)

"The other question is, should you have the vaccine anyway?

"This will be helped by having antibody testing.

"There's no doubt free access to the test for everybody will make a difference because we will know who has had it and who hasn't."

It comes as the suggested use of immunity certificates in response to the coronavirus pandemic is a "terrible idea" that threatens to be divisive and fuel prejudice, the Government has been warned.

The Government has bought antibody tests for NHS staff in the UK (Image: GETTY)

Criticism was levelled over the possible introduction of the measure during a virtual question time of the House of Lords.

The concept of "immunity passports" or "risk-free certificates" has been floated as a way of allowing people protected against reinfection to return to work.

However, the World Health Organisation has already cautioned against such a move in the absence of evidence that people who have recovered from Covid-19 and have antibodies are protected against a second infection.

Raising his concerns, independent crossbencher the Earl of Clancarty said: "Would the minister agree that immunity or health certificates have the potential to be socially divisive and foster prejudice if they were valued by employers, and why else would you want them?

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"They would also implicitly endorse the Government's original, much vilified herd immunity policy.

"They are a terrible idea and the Government would be wise not to go down this road."

Responding, Health Minister Lord Bethall said: "I completely hear his reservations about certification. Our plans are in development. We are fully aware of the concerns.

"But the public deserve to know whether or not they have had the disease themselves and we do have to use whatever technology we can in order to help us shake off the economic and social effects of this virus and therefore we retain an open mind on the use of certification."